Sound on film



J. R. KIEL SOUND 0N `ILM March 23, 1943.

` original Filed oct, 27. 195sl 9 Sheets-Sheet -1 a# ATroRNEYs,

Byam/ ivlwh 2S, ma.

J. R. Kir-:L 2,314,834

` souNn oNvFILM Original Filed oct. 2?, 193s 9 Sheets-Sheet 2" ArogNEYs.

Mmh23,1943. MIEL Y 2,314,834l

SOUND 0N FILM original Filed oct. 27. 193e 19 sheets-sheets v ,AT'QORNEK mmh 23,1943. .1. 'R KIEL 2,314,834

SOUNDV oN FILM` Y original Filed oct.- 2"?, 195e 9 sheets-sheet 5 March 23, 1943. J..R; KIL., 2,314,834

VSOUND oN FILM f INVENTOR.

Mardi 23, 1943. AIR KIEL E 2,314,834 y SOUND 0N `FILM Y Original Filed Oct. `2'?, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 8' ATToRNEYs.

s Y, @m3/pag.5@ HMH/Z March 23.11943.

soUNn n MLM Original Filed oct. 21"?.y 193s s sheets-sheet 9 ATTORNEYS.

JJR'KIEL y2,f314, 834 I Patented Maf. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATEN SOUND oN FILM John Ripley Kiel, Merchantville, N. J., assignor to Mary R. Kiel, Wilmettc, Ill.

Original application cto7`ber 27, 1938, Serial No. 237,225. Divided and this application May 10,

T] OFFICE 1940, serial No. 334,357

mclaims: (ci. 1794100@ -This invention has to do with a method of recording and reproducing sound on lm, apparatus for eiecting such recording and reproducing, and the iilm record resulting from such method as practiced by such apparatus.y

' This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 237,225, led October 27, 1938.

It has been customary to produce by various forms of apparatus sound records extending longitudinally of sound carrier film' strips and in y some instances doubling back and forth in Such records are not only` parallel relation. .wasteful of the film material, not utilizing the same to the best advantage, but as a given portion of the record extends over a considerable longitudinal distance, it is very diflicult, in repro@ duction, to re-locate a particular point of the record'for reading back, or for making a correction in the record as `where the use is inra business dictating machine.

A feature of the present invention is the recording transversely rather than longitudinally of the `sound carrier strip, and preferably diagonally in parallel lines extending at an angle of approximately to 30 to the strip axiswhereby the .whole lm surface is utilized, and` No. 1,707,243, to produce a record transversely y of a film strip, and toa greater or less degree diagonally but in that case 'the recording is in part a duplication, the adjacent sound record lines being produced by a pair of styli in stag-- gered or overlapped relation to compensate for the fact that each record is discontinuous at the lm edge; whereas, according to my invention, the lm is wound asa close helix upon a mandrel with the two edges in abutment, and

there is -but one stylus and one record line needed inasmuch as 'the recording is continuous from one edge of the :Hlm to the other abutting edge, bridging over from one tothe other. As a consequence, while vthe Wildhaber invention does resultin a decided economy of .lm material as compared with longitudinally extending ing manual control.

records, yetiaccording to the presentfinvention there is an increased` economy dueto the fact that I use butv one stylus, producing a single line record instead of a partial duplication. My

invention solves the same diiliculty with greater economy, and added ease of `locating a desired point in the recordvfor reading back.

A further andquiteimportant feature is the elimination of any click or other audible indication of the bridging or passing of the record? ing or reproducing stylus over the abutting-@edges of the iilm as helically wound upon the mandrel.

In the construction 0f the Wildhaber patent rthis was avoided by discontinuing the` recording by one stylus short of the edge and continuing the record withan overlap phase-along an adjacent parallel line by the other stylus. According to my invention the sound groove made by a single stylus is continued entirely across from one edge of the film to the other, and any audible indication is avoided upon reproduction by cut,- ting out the reproducing pick-up at the proper instant to omit the click. The interval of silence is so short that it cannot be detected.

I iind it of advantage, also, as in the case vof my former Patents Nos. 2,095,750 and 2,096,113 to mount the recording stylus ,substantially perpendicular to the carrier film surface rather y than atan inclination ythereto and to form the sound groove asa laterally undulating one rather than hill-and-dale, although the latter vis entirely feasible.

Another feature. of the inventionl is remote control which is of particular advantage where usedin dictating and where employed for automatic recording of conversationU or other sound without the intervention of an operator exercis- This' remote control 'may n include manual actuation of media whereby the machine is set' in operation torecord, to re-v produce or what not; also theactuation of such media by the voice or other sound Wherebysuch sound will be recorded automatically without manual intervention.

.Another feature of the invention is the coof the mechanism of` the apparatus, gears,

` brakes, clutches, etc. whereby, .without stopping or reversal of the motor drive, the direction of sound carrier lm travel beneath the stylus may be reversed instantly, the speed of travel in reverse increased, stopped at a predetermined point and forward travel resumed, all controlled by the manipulation of av single manually actuated selective lever or the like.

' operative interrelationship between various parts Y of sound. r

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention a preferred embodimentrof apparatus is set out in the accompanying drawings; and the operation of the same, thecharacteristicsof the record and method of 'its production are detailed in the following description; it being understood that the drawings and description are to be taken in an illustrative sense and not as limiting the invention as defined in the accompanying claims beyond that required by the' state of the prior art.

Referring to the drawings, y

Fig. 1 is a View in elevation showing in dotted linesthe general layout of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a detail view on a large scale of the mandrel upon which the carrier nlm is wound and revolved for recording and reproduction;

Fig. 3 is a view showing the cam and lever arrangement for adjusting the machine to its various positions for recording and reproduction i purposes;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the top of the cabinet showing in particular the mechanism for breaking thecircuit as the reproducing stylus of the machine `passes over the abutting edges of the film;

` of the mandrel at the point where the styli engage the film;

Fig.9 is a sectional view on the line 8-9 o! Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view in elevation of the gearing at the feed end of the mandrel;

Fig. 11wis a sectionalview taken on the line ||I| of Fig. 1Q; l

Fig. 12 shows a portion of the mandrel with the .film wound thereon' and the helical relationship of the iilm to the mandrel;

Fig. 13 isy a view over a segment of nlm showing the numbering thereon and the diagonal position of the recorded grooves when the film is in a fiat condition; r

Fig. 14 is asectional View taken on the line |4|4 of Fig. 10;

Figs. 15 and 16 areV sectional views of the control cams mounted on 'the main control shaft of the' machine; 1

Fig. 1'? is a view showing the manner in which the mandrel is mounted in the machine;

|51t and I6 respectively which are connected i through means of belts l1 and I8 to the coneshaped heads I9 and 20 between which the mandrel 2| is positioned.

A It will be apparent from the foregoing that op` lat points where microphones or head phones may be plugged in, and the motor switch are indicated by the legends on the drawing. The speciiicV mechanism through whichthe control armfunctions, the recording and reproducing mechanism, etc. isnot shown in Fig. 1.

Arrangement of the film The mandrel 2| and its cone-shaped heads Il and together with the recording head 26 and the reproducing head 2l and their associated mechanisms are illustrated in Fig. 2. The mandrel and the cone-shaped heads I'S and 20 revolve in the one direction indicated by arrows. The feeding reel of film is indicated by the reference character 28 and the take-up reel is indi-v cated by the reference character 29. From the feeding-reel the film is fed over an idler guide roll 30, thence through a slot in the cone-shaped head 20 over an idler guide roll 3| and thencel over the film feeding rollers 32 and 33 shown in detail in Fig. 10, and thence around the mandrel 2|, the opposite edges of the film 'abutting as it passes about the mandrel in a helical relationship as shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 12. Asthe film leaves the mandrel 2| it passes over the takeup rollers 34 and 35, these two rollers being shown in detail in Fig. 5. After lleaving the take-up rollers 34 and 35 the film passes over the idler guide rollers 36 and 31 through a slotl 38v in the cone-shaped head as shown in Fig.' 5. As is also shown in Fig. 5, the nlm passes on the take-up reel 29, being guided by the idler roller 39. i

The feed reel 28 and the take-up reel 29 are journaled on the stationary shaft 40 as shown in y 2l and its associated cone-shaped heads I9 and Fig; 18 shows in detail the driving and switching mechanism for operation of the machine by remote control by the use of push buttons or in response to sound;

Fig. 19 yis a sectional view taken on the line |9|9 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a sectional 20-20 of-Fig. 18; and Fig. 21 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit employed when the machine is arranged for remote control operation or operation as the result view taken on the line As indicated in Fig. 1 the device generally comprises a cabinet in the base portion of which is mounted a motor |2 which drives a drive shaft i3 through means of the belt and pulleyassembly indicated by the reference character I4. Mounted on the drive shaft I3 is a pair of pulleys 20. The reels of nlm 28 and' 29, being journaled on the shaft 40 have no direct'connection with their respective cone-shaped .heads I9 and 20, are driven solely by ther strip of film. Each reel of nlm is provided with a braking mechanism, the details andthe purpose of, which will be hereinafter described.

The mechanism for imparting movement to the film In the operation of the device the cone-shaped heads I9 and 20 are driven as shown =in Fig. 1 through means of the belts l1 'and i8. The

mandrel 2| revolves with the heads and the strip reproducing is controlled bythe rollers 32 and 33. -As shown in Fig. 10 there is a pressure roller- 42 mounted adjacent the feeding lroller 33 to force the film into firm engagement with the -roller 33 and to cause it to be tensioned against the periphery of that roller. Likewise the take-up rollers 34 and 35 are provided with a pressure roller 43 as shown in Fig. 5. Both the pressure roller 42 and the pressure roller 43 are mounted in the same manner, the detail of the mounting of roller 43 being shown in Fig. 5. This mounting consists of a curved arm 44 which is pivoted at 45 on the cone-shaped head and is 'provided with a spring 46 which is connected at one end to the head and at the other end to thearm` 44 so as to cause the pressure roller-43 to firmly engage the lm on the feed roller 35.

When in recording it is desired to advance the film to the take-upreel 29, braking action is applied to that reel so as to draw the film around the mandrel 2|, the purpose of the rollers 32 and 33 being to feed the film onto the mandrel and to permit the take-up reel to draw the film around the mandrel. During the time that the film is being advanced for recording or reproduction the rollers 34 and 35 are idling. y

It is obvious that the rollers 34 and 35 can be driven :to aid the take-up reel 29 in feeding the lm around the mandrel but in ordinary practice it is generally not necessary to drive these rollers when advancing the lm.

' When it is desired to reverse the direction 0f movement of the film the rollers 34 and 35 are driven and braking action is applied to the reel 28 which then draws the film around the mandrel controlled by the speed of the rollers 34 and 35.

These rollers perform the function of feeding the film to the mandrel.' f

In order to guide the film as it passes across the mandrel and to assure firm abutment of its edge portions the ngers |41 and |48 are provided as shown in Fig. 2. Associated with the finger |41 is an abutting edgefmmber |49 which prevents the lfilm from moving toward the takeup reel beyond this abutting edge and assures that it will always be centered.

The braking mechanism for the reel 29 and the reel 28. is of identical character and in Fig. 4 there is shown in detail the braking mechanism for the take-up reel 29. This mechanism cQmprises a cylindrical projection or drum 41 formed integrally with the reel, the periphery -of which drum forms a braking surface which is engaged by the friction brake shoes 48 and 49 respectively as shown in detail in Fig. 4. The brake shoes are mounted on-the arm members 58 and 5| respectively, which members are pivoted at 52 and 53. The other ends of the arm members are crumed at the point 63. Pivotally connected to the other arm of the bell crank lever 62 is a link 64 whichconnects with the bell crank lever 65,

fulcrumed at 66. Theother arm of thebell crank y lever 55 is provided with a grooved roller 61 which rides upon the cam 68.

The film feeding mechanism The operation of the rollers 3,2, 33 and the take-up rollers 34 and 35 is controlled from the bell crank levers and 65a respectively througlr the links 69 and 69a. It will be obvious that upon rockingA of the bell crank levers 65 and 65a that movement will be imparted 'to` the links 69 and 69a. As shown in Fig. 2 the link 69 is connected to the arm 18 and the link 69a is connected to the arm 10a. The arms 10 and 10a rock around pivotal mounting points 1| and 1 iq respectively. The

free end vof the arm 18 engages the plunger 12 whichplungeris slidably mounted in the bore of the shaft 40, as shown in detail in'Fig. l1. Referring to Fig. 11 it will be seen that the plunger 12 is provided at its inner end with a spring 13 shown in dotted lines which abuts against it and tends to press 'itoutwardly Fixed tothe plunger 12 pivoted to the brake shoes 48 and 49 respectively as indicated at 54 'and 55.

Operation of the brake shoes is accomplished by means of a lever 56 which is pivoted at 51 and provided at its inner end with a stud 58 which engages a pair of rollers 59 and 68, the rollers 59 and 68 being mounted on the arms 50 and 5| respectively. As is apparentfrom Fig. 4, actuation of the lever 56 causes the stud 58 to separate the brake shoes 48 and 48 as the stud moves between the rollers 59 and 60. The brake shoes 48 and 49 engage thebraking surface of the cylindrical projection 41 through the action of a spring l6| which is connected to the brake arms 58 and 5| and tends to draw them together.

The braking arrangement' for the reel 28 is identical with that of the reel 29-and in the draw! ings, particularly Fig. 3, the respective parts which f control the braking mechanism for the reel 28 are is a pin 14 which projects through an elongated slot 15 in the shaft 48. y

Slidably mounted on the shaft 48 and xdly secured to the pin 14 is a sleeve member 16 which is provided at its inner end with a cone-shaped friction drive member 11 and near its medial portion with a gear 18 and at its outside end with a peripherally slotted boss 19. Adaptedto engage the cone-shaped drive member 11 is a friction driven member 88vwhich has formed integral with` ita pinion 8| as is shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 1l. The friction-,driven member 88 and the pinion 8| are mounted in needle-point bearings 92 and 93 respectively. The bearing 83 is in'an arm member 84, adapted to swing about its pivot.

point 85. The purpose of providing the arm member 84 so that it may move about the pivot point 85 will be described in connection with the operation of the device.

Engaging the pinion 8| is agear wheel 86 which is secured to the sleeve shaft 81, which sleeve is fixedly securedto the shaft 92. Also mounted on the shaft 81 is a pinion 88 which is adapted to engage the grooved gear 89. The gear 89 may consist of two gears in which the teeth are in register but are spaced apart or by a single gear which is provided with a groove as indicated at 98.- The grooved gear 89 is xedly secured to the feeding roller 33 so that rotation of the gear 8,8 imparts rotation to this feeding roller 33. As

inwardly.

. In order to disengagethe gear mechanism thus n far describedfromthe feed roller 33 so that there will be no drag upon said roller during the time when itis desired to have said roller running free, the pinion 88 and gear 86 areflxed on the shaft 9,2,Ywhichshaft is slidably mounted to permit its endwise movement. vEngaging, -the end fof the shaft 92 is a lever arm' 93 which is pivotally mounted at one end 94. .The 'other end of said speed of the filml is quite rapid and dueto the high ratio of the gears is would require excessive braking action on the reel 28 as well as high tension on the lm between the reel and the rollers in order to cause reverse movement of the nlm.

Referring further to the operation ofthe gear mechanism shown in Figs. and 11, it will be apparent that when the plunger 121s 'forced outwardly under the action of the spring 13-and is relieved of pressure by the' arm 18 the friction Agears 11 and 80 will be in engagement and will drive'the feeding roller 33 at a relativelylow speed.' Thatwhen the` plunger 12 is depressed partially by the arml 10 the friction gears 11 and will be separated and there will be no driving connection between these gears or between the toothed gear 18 and gear 9|, and the pinion 88 will be positioned in the groove 90 of the grooved,

gear 89 so that .there is no gear drag upon the feed roller 33. When the plunger is depressed -to its extreme position the gear 18 and the gear 9| are engaged and the pinion 88 engages the inner tooth portion of the grooved gear 89. With this gearing-relationship it will be obvious that the feed roller 33 will be driven at av high rate of speed.y

Themeans for compensation for lengthening of the film' during `recording As recording takes place the diagonal soundgrooving of the film strip lengthens it slightly with the result that if the lm is fed at lthe same rate during reproduction as during recording, the reproducing stylus would tend to move axially along the mandrel. In order to compensate for this difference in length of the film the pivoted arm 84 is provided for the mounting of the friction gear 80. This arm is shown in detail in Figs.

10 and 14. As shown in Fig. 14 the extent to which the arm 84 may swing about its pivotis limited by the fixed stop 91 and bythe set screw 98. The spring 99 yieldingly urges the arm 84 in the direction of the fixed stop 91. When the plunger 12 is inV its released position, that is to f a say, when itis not being forced by the arm member 10 against the spring 13, the friction gear 11 is moved outwardly toward its utmost limit and the friction gear 80 tends to and does move to-,

ward the extreme diameterof the friction gear 'l1 with the result that as the friction gear approaches the'.extreme diameter the feed roller 33 is driven at a slightly increased rate of speed.

A 'I'he extent to which the friction gear'89 may move toward the extreme diameter of the friction gear 11 is controlled by the set screw 98 for -it `is obvious that the friction gearvcannot move beyond the point at which the position of its axis will freely permit and the limit of movement of the axis is controlled through the set screw 98. 'I'hus -through adjustment of the set screw A 98 `it is possible to veryl accurately control the ,slightmincre'asein speed of the, film necessary in reproducing viue to its very `slight elongation in recording. l

. The gear mechanism for drivingthe feed 4 t rollers 34 and 35 The feed rollers 34 and .35 are controlled through the link 69a which is attached to the bell crank 65 as shown in Fig. 3 and, as appears from Fig. 2, the link 89a controls the arm 19a which is pivotally mounted ,at Ila and has a free end portion which engages the'plunger |00. As

` shown in detail in Figs. 6 and '1, the plunger |80 is mounted similarly to the plunger 12 in the opposite end of the shaft 49 and is provided with a spring |0| which urges the plunger Aoutwardly and with a pin |02 that passes through the elongated slot |03 in the'shaft 40. The pin `|82 is,

iixedly secured to the sleeve member |04. which sleeve is slidably mounted on the shaft 40. The sleeve |04 is provided at its inner end with a pinion |05 which is adapted to engage the vlarge gear |08. Mounted on the Isame shaft as the gear |08 and xedly secured thereto is a pinion |01 which drives the gear |08. Mounted coaxially with the gear'i08 is a gear |09 which drives the gear ||0. Gear ||0 inl turn ydrives gear III. The gears iiD-and aresecured to the feed rollers 34 and 35 respectively and drive the same.

It willbe apparent that movement of ther plunger |00 inwardly against the actionof the spring |0| will disengage the pinion |05 from the gear |06 so that the feeding'rollers 34 and 35 f' are not driven by the pinion |05. The control means for the movement of the Jlm The cam 68' (Fig. 3) winch controls theactions of the various links that actuate the pinsf'|`2l and |00 and the links which control the brakes is mountedon a shaft 22a which is rotated by the control arm 22.. This cam is soA shaped that' when the control arm is located in the positions marked Neutralboth sets of brakes 48 and 49 and48a and 49a are disengaged, the arm 59 having forced the pin 58 `between the rollers59 and 60 as is more clearly shown. in Fig. 4. 'I'he pin |00 is depressed so that the pinion |05 isdisengaged from the gear `|08 as is more clearly ap-v. y r `parent from Fig. 7. The pllmge'r 12 is depressed to the point that the friction gears 11 and ,30 are just out of engagement, the gears 18 and 9| have ing not yet reached theY point where they argengaged4 and the pinion 88 is not out' of .engage-L ment with the teeth in thegear 89, having not` yet reached the grooved portion 90. 4It will be on the reel 28 to apparent `that in the Neutral position the mandrel 2| andthe cone-shaped members I9 and 20 will be revolving but no film will be moved relative thereto.

In the Transcribe position of the controlarm 22 the cam 88 is so shaped that the asso ciated levers cause the brake shoes 48 and,49;to i

engage'the brake band on the'reel 29 and thus tend *o hold this reel from rotation and to tension the film to cause it to feed from the left to the right on the mandrel. The brake-comprising the shoes 48a and 49a on' the reel 28 is completely released or it 'may exert but a slight effect prevent overrun' in case o'fsuddenstoppage. The plunger |00 shown in Fig. 7 is in the same position as in the "Neutral" position, that is to say, the gears |95' and |99 are 'disengaged The plunger 1.2 shownin4 Fig. 1l is extended to its utmost limit, the arm 10 having moved .entirely away from it, the friction gears 11 and 80 being in engagement, andthe gear riding on the greatest diameter ofthe friction gear 11 so, as has been heretofore'pointed I position, thecam 68 is so shaped that the brakes 48 and 49 are released and the brakes l48a and 49a are in engagement with the brakeband on the reel 28 so as to tension the lm and cause it to move from right to left across the mandrel 2| as Shown in Fig. 2. The plunger 12 is now depressed to the point that the-friction gears 11 and 80 have become disengaged, the gears 18 and 9| have not yet become engaged and the pinion 88 has moved into the rslot 90. The plunger shown in Fig. 7 and numbered |00 is now moved to its outward 'extremity under the action of spring 4So that the gears |05 and |06 have become engaged to feed the film through the rollers 34 and 35 to the mandrel.

When the cotrol arm is moved to the position marked "Advance the brakes y48 and 49 have engaged the brake drum 41 on the reel 29 and the brakes 48a and 49a are completely released. 'Ihe plunger 12 as shown in Fig. 11 has been depressed to the point that the gears 18 and 9| are in engagement, the friction gears 11 -and 80 are out of engagement and the pinion 88 has moved beyond the slot 90 and into the teeth 'of the gear 89. The plunger |00 shown in Fig. 7

is now depressed by the arm 10a so that the gears and |06 are out of engagement. Due to the high ratio of the gearing on the feeding side as shown in Fig. 11 the film advances ata rapidrate of speed. A

' When the control lever. is in the Record position the brakes 48a and 49a are released andthe the recording head is dropped down into engagement with the nlm. A detailed view of this ca m is shown in Fig.16. I

In order to aid in the advancement of the nlm during recording and reproduction and to cause the film to tend to move along the mandrel t0 ward the take-up reel and keep the edges of the film in firm abutment as theyhelically pass about f the mandrel, a friction shoe I |9 is advantageously brakes 48 and 49 are in firm engagement 'with the brake drum attachedl tothetake-up reel 29.

Theplunger |00 shown in Fig. '1 is depressed to the point that the gears |05 and |06 are out of mesh. The-plunger 12 shown in Hg. 11 is depressed to the point that the friction gears 11 and 80 are in engagement, the gears engaging at the smallest diameter of the gear v11. The gears 18 and 9|, are, of course, out of engagement and the pinion 88 is in engagement with the When the arm is in the position .indicated by "Record and reproduce (Fig. l), the arrange- The control for positioning the reproducing head provided as shown lin Fig. 8, this friction shoe having a face which extends partially about the lm as it is wound upon the mandrel. The friction shoe I I9 is faced with leather or some other non-abrading friction material. The shoe is mounted on a short leaf spring |20 as shown in detail in Fig. 9, the spring having the proper resiliency to exert a Yslight pressure upon the,v

shoe and direct it into engagement with the film. The other. end of thespring |20 is xedly secured to a plunger |2I, which plunger is slidably mounted in the projection |22 integral with the yoke member |23. The yoke |23 is Xedly securedto the frame assembly |24. L

The plunger |2| engages the face ofthe cam |25. The cam |25 which is shown in detail in Figs. 15 and 16 is soshaped that when'the control arm 22 which rotates thei shaft 22a Hupon. l which the cam |25 is mounted, is in Rec/ord or o fTranscribe positions theshoef-,I |9is advanced Qundertension of Ythe spring |205.` lrn. When' the control shaft. 22a. position the plunger .rescate-Sinto a de the cam so that the friction shoe engagement with the nlm.` w

' "It is desirable to have the ictoiishoefin engagement .with the nlm in the positions shown the control 'arm is inpAdvance or Repeat positions the iilm` is moving at such high rate of speed across thefmasndreli thatit is undesirable t to have any friction applied to it by the frictionshoe ||9. l

As shown in Fig. s the recording head 2s is pivotally mounted at II3, the point of mounting being preferably positioned on a line tangent to the mandrel at the point of recording.

The pressure which the recording head exerts upon the film may be conveniently controlled through, an adjustable spring II4. The position of the recording `head with" respect to the lm is determined by means of a.' cam I I5 which is ilxedly Lmounted on the control shaft 22a. The cam |I5 has abutting against it the end of a pin IIS which pin is slidable axially in its, mounting. the o ther end of the` pin |I6 engaging a projecf tion I1 on the recording headas shown in dotted lines. When the control arm 22 is 'in fNeutralf' Advance,n Transcribe"or. "Repeat" positions vthe cam ||5 isl so shaped that the pin rides on V its outer periphery and raises the recording head from engagement with -thenlm. When the control arrn 22 is in Record" and in Record and reproduce` positions, the pin II6 is dropped intoone `ofthe depressions I|8 `of-the cam so that The control for the reproducer l As shown in Fig.`8 the reproducer 21 ismounted by means of universal pivots indicated at |21 and |28. An arm member |29 which is pivotally mounted at`|30 to the sub-frame |24 engages the bottom side of the reproducer. Abutting the arm |29 is a plunger |3| which engages the cam face |32.` Urging the arm |29 into engagement with the plunger I3| and the latter into engagement with the cam face |32 is a spring |34 which is secured tothe arm |29 and to the subframe. 'The reproducer 21 is so positioned thatY o it tends under the action of gravity to engage the film, and the vcam face I32is so shaped that when t'he control lever 22 is actuated the cam will be. so rotated that the reproducer will engage the` film when the cam lever is in the recording and reproducing and -in the transcribing positions.

At other positions of the control ylever the cam urges the plunger I3| against the arm |29 to causethe latter to swing about its pivot |30 and raise the reproducer 21 from the film. The details ol the cam |32 are shown in .Figf 15.

The reproducingand recording circuits The reproducer and the recording head are`V connected to the usual amplifier circuits to per- Q mit of recording and reproduction', standard microphones and loudl speakers being used in these operations. Such circuits do not consti- /tute an essential part of my invention and since I' Y they are well known and understood 'by those release of the brakes on drawings or described in detail for to do so would merely make the drawings more complicated and lengthen the descriptio Control of the circuits to the reproducing lhead and the recording head are through means of the switch, -the housing of which is indicated by the- 'referencel character |40 in Fig. 8. Only the housing of the switch is shown because it is a standard multiple contact switch, the contacts being stationary and rthere being a series of control arms which. are mountedon an extension of the control shaft 22a and revolve with it. The contacts and control arms are so arranged and connected that when the cutting head is in engagement with the film the microphone is connected through the amplifier to the recording -head.` Likewise when the control shaft 22a is positioned so that the reproducer is in engagement with the film the amplifier is connected to the loud speaker and when the fllm is in repeat or neutral positions the ampliilermay be cut out ofthe circuit.

The general plan of the control mechanism It will be apparent fromthe foregoing description that mounted on the control shaft 22a are all of the control cams and mechanisms, namely, the cam 63 whichfcontrols the engagement and the reels Aof the film and `also action of the film feed rolls. Thus. through this cam the direction and rate of movement of the film for the various operations'is L' controlled. Throughthe cam members H5, |25 .and |32 the position of the reproducer and the recording head, togetherwith the film-engaging member Ill, are positively controlled and these controls, being on the same shaft and being correlated to the cam 88 insure proper setting of the mechanism for each of its several operations.

The vswitching mechanism |40' being likewise mounted on th'e control shaft 22a and coordinated with the cam members connects the proper electrical circuits to the amplifier and the loud speaker. Thus the entire control of the machine is accomplished through a single shaft and a single control lever.

In order to insure proper positioning of the `control shaft 22a upon the manipulation of the control arm 22 or the electrical means of controly hereinafter to be described,v the cam |42, shown in Fig. 3, is provided on `the control shaft 22a.

- This cam isprovidedwith openings to receive a `roller .|43 which roller is mounted on the lever |44. Thelever |44 is pivoted at the point |45 and provided at its opposite endv with a spring |46 the spring urging the lever |44 and the roller |43 toward the cam surfaces of the memberl |42. Thus, as the' control shaft 22a is',l moved to various positions, which positions are represented on the cam |42a by a`h'o1lw portion, the roller |43 drops into the hollow portions and ythus holds the control shaft 22am the desired position. l

The means fOr `'eliminating noise as the reprod ucing head passes over the abutting edges of the Jllm It will be apparent that as the reproducin styluspasses or bridges over the abutting edges,

- ,of the nlm as the mandrel 2| revolves there would bej produceda .click or undesirable noise unless some means/'is provided for eiiminating this noise during reproduction. This is accomplished in the specific form of the'invention shown by the provision es projection @Swiss-h maybe posi- 2,314,834 l tioned on either one of the cone-shaped members I3 or 2li.v This projection is shown in detail in Fig. 4. 'I'his projection is positioned on a radial line at the point of contacting of thereproducing stylus with the joint between the edges lof the film and as they pass the stylus. The projection |35 actuates a switch |38 by means of a wiper |31, which switchV |36 is "so connected in the amplifier circuit as -to cause that circuit to so dead at the instant the reproducing stylus passes the Joint in the film.

It is obvious that there are a number of ways of causing the amplier to cease.to function at this instant such, for instance, as the application of a blocking voltage to the control grid through the closing of the switch |36 or by short-circuiting the pick-up, etc. In lieu of mechanical means for actuating the switch |36, a magnet may be so positioned as to actuate an armature from the switch when the magnet passes the switch. Such a system would have the advantage that it would eliminate any mechanical noise resulting from contact of the wiper |31 with the cam member |35. Obviously any method may be employed which will have the effect of blocking out the reproducex` at the instant that it bridges the edges of the film.

Means for determining the position of the film in the machine In order that the operator may determine the film in the machine the film is provided with a series of numbers which are imposed on it diagonally so that when the nlm is wound on the mandrel they are in line with the axis of the mandrel.` l 1 As shown in Fig. 3, asource of light is provided at the point |44 which light passes through a slot |65 in the head 20. This light is reflected by the mirror |46 onto the film. It will be apparent that as the head Vrevolves the light will only strike the mirror andthe film once in every revolution and it will always strike the lm at the same point. Thus, by viewing the `film throughtheopening'zli of the casing, shown in i Fig. l, upon each revolution ofthe mandrel the number then in position will become visible for an insta Since the light only strikes the film for an ins tata time the number will appear to be'nearlyl stationary although, in fact.- it is ref 1 sible to read the numbers.

Method of threading fum- As shown in Fig. 17 the mandria and the heads I9 and 20; together with their supporting shaft 40, are mounted in the machine by sliding them g on the curved portion |50 of the frame assembly.

vby Sliding them As shown in dotted lines, the mandrel and the heads can be readily removed from the interior of the machine to a point of easy access merely to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 17. In this position either the takeup or the feeding reel of film may be removed or replaced. `When inserting the new film the reci holding it isplaced upon the shaft dii' as :fn the position 28 in Fig. 2. The film is then fed over an idler guide roller 30 thence through a slot in the cone-shaped head 2B. over an idler guide roller 3i and thence over the film feecingroliem is of importance because if the light 32 `and 33 and thence' around the mandrel 2| to i through means of the control arm 22 which for ordinary purposes will be entirely satisfactory. i,

However, there are many cases in which it is desirablev to have the machine start to transcribe when sound occurs and to cease transcribing when theretis no sound or to be able to control the machine at a distance by means of push buttons or other similar mechanism.

Remote and automatic control As shown in Figs. 18 to 21 inclusive remote and automatic voice control of the recording machine is accomplished by providing on shalt 22a a pinion 200 which operates a rack i. As shown in the drawings the rack 20| is slidably mounted on a supporting plate-202 by means of the members 203. The rack member 20| is provided with teeth 204 which engage the pinion 200. The face of the rack engaging the supporting plate Y is provided with a groove 205 which has an elevated portion 206 therein so that the grooved portion of the rack acts as a cam-shaped surface...

Engaging the cam-shaped surface are a plurality A of ngers 201 which pass through the'supporting plate 202 and which are held in engagement with the cam-shaped surface of the rack by a plurality of springs 206. here shown as six in number, which springs are mounted on the under side of the supporting plate. Mounted adjacent each spring 208are three contact members each of which is insulated from the springs and from each other. bers 208 to 226 inclusive.

As shown in the circuit diagram, Fig. 2l, these contact members are electrically connected through appropriate switching mechanism and relays hereafter described to the motor 231. The motor 231 'is provided with a shaft 238 and through a magnetic clutch 239 actuates a worm gear 240. The worm 240 operates a worm wheel 24| which is xedly secured to the shaft 22a..

A magnetic clutch 239 is electrically connected `to the motor circuit so that when the motor cirrun or hunt were it not for the clutch iseffectively removed from the apparatus due to the instantaneous release of the clutch when the circuit to the motor is opened. The electrical ccnnections are notV shown between the motor` and These contact membersbear numr Thus the momentum of the clutch as they are ci an obvious character and illustration of them would merely cucumber the drawings, Furthermore, the clutch need not necessarily be of the magnetic type but may be a plain friction clutch which is engaged or disengaged lthrough axial movement of the motor shaft caused by mounting that shaft so that the armature is out-of line with the eld and is pulled into line upon energizing the motor.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the motor is energized the shaft 22a will be rotated through the worm wheel 24| and the worm gear 240 and at the'same -time the pinion 200' will rotate to move the rack 20| lengthwise, the direction of movement ofthe rack depending upon the direction of rotation of thermotor 231.

' In order to position the control shaft 22a and thus eiect remote control of the machine as heretofore described the following circuit arrangement i's employed. As shown in the circuit diagram-Fig. 21, the course of currertis indicated at 242 which may be `an.ordinary light socket. `From thisrsource one side of the line leadsto the mid-pointof a two coil relay 243. The relay 243 is provided with appropriate armatures 244 and 245 to each' of which actuates two pairs of contacts, these pairs of contacts being indicated by the reference characters 246, 241, 248 and 249 respectively. From these pairs of contacts are lead wires as indicated in the' drawings to the brushes and field of the motor so that the motor will operate in one direction when the armature 244 is actuated by its associated coil of the relay and the motor will run in the opposite direction when the armature 245 is actuated by the associated coil of the relay. The details of the connections'between the motor and the relay are not described because they are merely standard practice in the reversing of motors.

The alternative energization of the respective coils of the relay is accomplished through leads 250 and 25|. The lead wire 250 is connected with the contacts 209, 2|2, 2|5, 2I8, 22| and 224 and the lead wire 25| is `connected to the contact members 2li, 214, 2I.1. 22D. 223 and 226. The center contacts 2I0, 2I3, 2|6, 2|9, 222 and 225 are attached to leads bearing the suffix a which leads are each connected to a-series ofl push button switches designated` by Y the sufix b. switches are all alike. The switchesY are provided with three contact members which are .adapted to engage the circuit making and breaking mem'- ber when the switch is iti/various positions. For eaample, 'in the switch 2I0b the contact member 2|0d wipes the making and breaking member and the contact member 210e disengages the making andbreaking member when the latter is pushed downwardly to engage the contact member'2l0c. K Such switches are commonly employed for vari-v 2|3a is connected to the vcontact 2|3c'and the other lead wires bearing the suilix a are connectedto the contact points c of their corresponding switch.

The wiping contacts of the` switches are indi-A cated; in the drawings -by thesuilix d. The contact member which connects the switches in series when the buttons are in raised position isin-f dicated by the suix e. Fromthe wiping contact 2I0d aline 251l goes to the contact 258 of the i single pole double throw switch 259.` The control member, 260 of the switch 259 is connected tothe lead wire 26| which returns to the source of eni ergy such as the light'socket. p From the part of the apparatus and circuit thus far described it will be apparent that, 'when' 'the switch 259 is set so that the control arm, engages the contact 258. upon depression of any oneof the push button switches the circuit will be completed to the motor and it will operate to move the control shaft 22a into the desired posi-V tion.v For inst-ance, should it be desired to posi- 1 tion the control shaft 22a so thatthe machine is in neutral position, the push button switch hav- These f l position' at a time.

armature 26E: Nomaliy the ing4 the contacts z|oa, z|ob, me and und wm be depressed. Upon depressing this switch the ow of current to the-other push button switches will be`broken between the contacts 2|0d and 2| 0e and the circuit will be closed between the contacts 2| 0d and the contacts 2| 0c. It will then pass through the line 2|0a to the center contact 2|0. If .the center contact 2I0 isfin engagement with the contact 209, and its engagement with' contact 209 or 2|| will obviously depend upon the position of the rack 20| then the current will pass through the line 250 to energize;` the coilI operatingl the armatureA 244 to cause the motor to f rotate in the direction to move therack so that the raised portion of the cam surface in the groove 205 will engage the nger 201 which controis the position of the contact 2|01.` When the finger 201 has ridden up part way on the raised portion of the cam surface contact2|0 Iwill be disengaged from .the contact 209 and energy to the motor will be out oi! and due to the magnetic clutch arrangement hereinafter described the contact member 268 due to spring pressure which is applied to the contact 264 through any one of well known arrangements.

The contact 266 is directly connected to the contact member 2|0c through a lead 261. Also adapted to engage the contact 264 under the ac-v tion of the amature 265 is the contact 266 which through the lead wire 269 is ,connected to the contact member 2 |3c.

I It will be apparent that when the contact member 264 engages the contact member 266 current flows from the lead line 26| through the switch 259 and the lead wire 263, thence through the contact members through the lead wire 261 to. the contact 2| 0c which connections have the same eiect as depressing the button 2|0b and when so connected the motor will operate to bring the machine to neutral position as heretofore described. Likewise when the armature 265 is released the contact 264 engages the contact 260 and current will be fed through the lead line 260 to the contact 2I3c which will have the same thefcontrol shaft 22a will instantly cease movement and the machine will be in the neutral Position.

On the other hand, if the control shaft 22a is so positioned that the finger 201 actuating the contact 2|0 is riding upon the high portion 206 of the cam surface 205 of the rack then the'- contact 2|0 will be in engagement with the contact 2H which will close the circuit through the line 25|' to the relay and energize the coil which l actuates the armature 245 -and causes the motor to rotate in the opposite direction. Obviously as soon as the finger 201 then reaches apoint on the cam surface 205 so that the contact 2|0 is out of engagement with the contact 2| I`, the motor circuit is disconected and the control shaft 22a will cease movement and the machine will be in neutral position.

. 'Ihus it makes ,no 'difference in what' position 4the control shaft is. vUpon manually depressing and stopped at the desired position.

The fingers 201 and their associated contacts are so connected to the various push buttons that when the push button 2|0b is depressed the apparatus will be in neutral position. That is to say; the shaft 22a willrotate to the position that the recording and reproducing mechanism is in neutral.` When the pushfbutton 2 |5b is depressed the control shaft 22a is revolved so that the apparatus is in recording position and when the push button 2|6b is depressed the control shaft 22a is -revolved so that the 'apparatus is in advance position. When the button 222b is depressed the control shaft is revolved so that the .apparatus'sis in transcribev position. When the button 2251 is depressed'the apparatus is in neutrai position. Y

The series of push buttonsare so interconnectedbywell known mechanism that upon push ing down one button any other button that has been depressed will automatically rise. Thus it is only possible to have one button in depressed In order to operate the machine automatically, that is to say, so that it will be responsive to s the voiceor sound, the arm member 260 of the switch 256 -is positionedto engag the contact 262. in which position the line 26| is connected to the connecting wire 263, which wire is connected tothe contact 254i. Thecontact 264 is g pivotally mounted so as to be actuated by the contact engagesy l the proper button the control shaft will be moved L multiple Wire cable effect as depressing the button containing this contact. Whereupon as has heretofore been described the energy passing through this circuit will cause the motor to position the control shaft 22a so that the machine is in the recording position. i

'Ihe armature 265 actuated through the relay coil 210 which coil is energized from the control tube 21| which may be a standard threeelement vacuum tube or three elements of a tube having a dual function.' One side of the coil `210V is connected to the B plus side of the tube circuit and the other side to the plate circuit so that when the grid of the control tube 21| is made negative with respect to the cathode the coil 210 is de-energized and the armature 265 is released.

In order'to'vprovide a negative bias on the grid of the tube 21| in response to sound a standard microphone indicated by the reference char.

acter 212 is connected through an amplifier circuit indicated by the reference character 213 to the input 214 of a step-up transformer. From;

the secondary 215 of the step-up transformer the current is passed through a rectifier circuit which includes a rectifier tube 216 havingananode 211 anch!! cathode 218. The cathode is connected to the` ground through a resistance of high. value 219 so that the output of the tube is impressed upon the control grid of the tube 21|.

In order to delay the action of the control grid` the appropriate button, the machine willass'ume the desired position. ik A It is generally desirable that the push buttons be mounted in a separate'control box and that a run from the push buttons to the machine. Thus'the machine corner of the room and operated from a distance. @n the other hand. when it is desired to have the machine record and act in response to sound the control arm 260 of the switch 2563s moved to en gif-ge the contact 262. in thirp'osition the mamay be set vin a" transmitter.

microphone and film will only be consumed durf ing the time that sound is impressed upon the microphone. lThe advantage of its arrangement is obvious under many conditions. For instance. it may be desirable to have the machine record all transmission or all reception from an airplane Since these transmitters only operate periodically no fihn will beconsumed during the intervals of silence, or, if the machine is to be used as an ordinary dictating machine when the dictator ceases 'dictation the machine automatically discontinues the usel of film. On the other hand, when the dictator starts again to dictate the machine begins to function. f'

It is to be observa that the relay, including the arranged that should anything happen vto the control tube 241| or`its associated electrical ele,- ments the contacts 264 and 268 will-remain in encontacts 264, 26B, 268 and the armature 265, is so I claim:

l.A The method of reproducing a sound record from spaced parallel sound grooves extending obliquely across a flexible carrier strip which consists in curving the carrier strip into helical forni with opposite edges closely adjacent to register spaced sound grooves for continuity, progressing said carrier longitudinally and transversely in respect to ay xed sound reproducer.- moving along the grooves across the carrier edges and silencing the reproducer at the instant of opassage over the adjacent edges of the carrier.

2. 'I'he method of reproducing a sound record in sound grooves extending in spaced yrelation f obliquely across the surface portions of a flexible rier a-long'the recording, and silencing the regagement and the machine will be in recording position although it will not stop on the cessation of sound. Thus, if the machine is to be used in some place where it is `essential that it record all v sound, failure of the electrical 'control mechanism will not cause the machine to cease operation but it will continue to operate at all times.

Summary Most off the advantages of the machine dehowever, is that the machine isV operated by a single control shaft with the result that control A is readily accomplished by an inexperienced person who hasno knowledge whatsoeverof mechanics or the electrical arrangements of the machine. Thus, if the machine is operated manually through use of the lever 22a the mere positioning of that 'lever at the points indicated on the casing of the machine will cause it to function in the proper manner. On the other hand, clue to theuse of but a single control shaft remote control of the machine by various means, includ-y ing those just described, may be conveniently accomplished with a minimum of mechanism. Furthermore, such mechanism can be so simply arranged as to make the-use of the machine with such control mechanism or sound-responsive means possible by one who has .no electrical or mechanical knowledge.

Another feature of importance is that since the film is recorded diagonally it is possible to record on a very short strip of lm a substantial amount of material and since the recording is continuous and compact, 15 feet or less' of 35 mm. llm is sufficient to record an hours dictation or other matter. lThis feature is of importance. because 'in recording such matter as radio broadcasts and the like for the purpose of keeping a permanent record, the amount of spaceA required for such cost of film necessary to make such a record.

Another feature of importance is that each 'component part of the machine is relatively simtively g'reat.

It has been found that the machine is extremely producing medium during the instantof its passage across the edges of the carrier.

3. The method of reproducing a sound record in spaced recordings extendingacross a flexible carrier which consists in supporting the carrier with edges thereof closely adjacent with opposite ends of'recordings thereon in substantial registry,

causing a sound reproducing mediumltomove one recording to anotherg d. The method of reproducing a sound record from spaced parallel sound grooves extending obliquely across from one edgeto the other' of a y,

`flexible carrier strip, .which Iconsists in supporting and moving said carrier in helical relation with edges ofthe carrier closely/'adjacent and with sound grooves thereon in substantial registry, contacting the carrier with a reproducing stylus of a sound reproducer moving across -the edgesl of the carrier from one sound groove `to another; and in,silencing the reproducerduring the time interval of passage of the stylus acrossthe adja nlm record is reduced to a minimum as is the laccurate 'in reproduction and recording, that.

there is little or no wear of the parts and, there-v fox-e, it has long life and servicing requirements are reduced to a minimum.

being such that the pick-up abutting edges of the strip.

cent edges of the carrier.

5. The method of reproducing sound from an elongated flexible record strip having sound tracks thereon in substantiallyiparallel lines extending'from edge to edge of the strip, which consists in supporting and positively feeding said strip with opposite edges thereof closely adjacent and with continuing vsound tracks in registry' at.

the adiacent'edses following thesound tracks `on`v said strip as the stripis fed Vwith a sound picks-up unit, and amplifying the sound picked up by the unit, the feeding of the strip tothevpick-up unit unit traverses the 6. The method of reproducing sound from an elongated flexible record strip having sound tracks thereon in substantially parallel lines exv tending from edge to edge of the strip, whiohgcon-l sists in supporting and positively moving'said Y strip with Vopposite edgesthereof closely adjacent and with continuing sound tracks in registry at the adjacent edges, taking sound from successive' sound tracks in continuity across the abutting .edges of the strip with a suitable sound reproducer, amplifying vthe sound from the reproducer 1 for audibility and eliminatingtherefrom anyaudible indication of the passage of the sound reproducer from one sound track to another, by silencf ing the audible reproduction atthe instant of f passage.

7. The method of reproducing sound from an elongated flexible record strip having sound tracks thereon in substantially parallel lines extending from edge to edge of the strip, which consists in bending said strip into curved shape so s that opposite edges of the strip are closely adiacent with adjacent sound tracks in registry at the adjacent edges of the strip and positively moving said strip transversely and longitudinally in its curved shape over a reproducer unit of a sound amplifying System with said unit following the successive sound tracks across the' abutting edges of the strip.

8. '.lhe method of `reproducing sound from an elongated flexible sound record characterized by having sound tracks thereon extending in substantially parallel lines from edge to edge of the strip, which consists in providing a sound reproducing system inclusive `of a sound 4pick-up unit positioned 'to take sound from said strip, in bending said strip into curved shape with sound tracks .in registry, and in positively feeding said lstrip transversely and longitudinally withrespect to the sound pick-up unit to provide continuing sound reproduction from successive tracks along said strip.

9. The method of reproducing sound from an` elongated ilexible sound record characterized by having soundtracks thereon extending in substantial parallelism from edge to edge of the strip, which consists in providing a sound reproducing system including a sound pick-up positioned to take sound from said 'strip at a predetermined -point,`in bending said strip into curved shape so that opposite 'edges of-the strip are in .abutment with sound tracks in registry, in positively feeding said strip transversely and longitudinally th respect to the sound pick-up unit to provide'comsound tracks thereon in substantial parallelism from edge to edge of the strip, positioning said strip with successive .sound tracks in registry. and in providing transverse and longitudinal feeding `motion of said strip with respect to the stylus whereby the stylus follows successively the sound tracks of the strip. s i

' JOHN RIPLEY KIEL. 

